{{Quote|The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it.|[[Hermione Granger]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}

{{Quote|The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it.|[[Hermione Granger]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}

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A '''Mandrake''', also known as '''Mandragora''', is a plant which has a root that looks like a human (like a baby when the plant is young, but maturing as the plant grows). When mature, its cry can be fatal to any person.

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A '''Mandrake''', also known as '''Mandragora''', is a plant which has a root that looks like a human (like a baby when the plant is young, but maturing as the plant grows). When mature, its cry can be fatal to any person who hears it.

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==Information==

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==History==

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[[Minister for Magic]] [[Venusia Crickerly]] died in [[1920s|1912]], following a freak Mandrake-related gardening accident.<ref name="PMministers">''[[Pottermore]]'' - [http://www.pottermore.com/en/book5/chapter7/moment1/ministers-for-magic New from J.K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic"]</ref>

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Mandrakes are part of the [[second year|second-year]] [[Herbology]] curriculum at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. In the [[1992-1993 school year]], the school's growth of Mandrakes served the additional purpose of making a [[Mandrake Restorative Draught|Restorative Draught]] to revive all those who had been [[Petrification|Petrified]] during the [[Chamber of Secrets]] openings.

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During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], [[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout]], [[Neville Longbottom]], and other students, lobbed Mandrakes over the Castle's battlements to attack the [[Death Eaters]].

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==Description and traits==

Whenever unearthed, the root screams. The scream of a mature Mandrake when it is unearthed will kill any person who hears it, but a young Mandrake's screams will usually only knock a person out for several hours. When [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] students study Mandrakes in [[Herbology]] class, [[Pomona Sprout]] had the students wear [[earmuffs]] to protect their ears from the Mandrake's cries.

Whenever unearthed, the root screams. The scream of a mature Mandrake when it is unearthed will kill any person who hears it, but a young Mandrake's screams will usually only knock a person out for several hours. When [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] students study Mandrakes in [[Herbology]] class, [[Pomona Sprout]] had the students wear [[earmuffs]] to protect their ears from the Mandrake's cries.

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Mandrakes not only resemble humans, but also have similar behaviours to them. In the [[1992–1993 school year]], the Mandrakes, at one point of time, became moody and secretive, which indicated that they were reaching adolescence. Later on, they threw a loud party, which is comparable to humans when they are teenagers. Hagrid also mentioned the Mandrakes having acne. Mandrakes are fully matured when they start moving into each others pots. When matured, Mandrakes can be cut up to serve as a prime ingredient for the [[Mandrake Restorative Draught]], which is used to cure those who have been [[Petrification|Petrified]]. During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Mandrakes were used against [[Death Eaters]].

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Mandrakes not only resemble humans, but also have similar behaviours to them. In the [[1992–1993 school year|1992-1993 school year]], the Mandrakes, at one point of time, became moody and secretive, which indicated that they were reaching adolescence. Later on, they threw a loud party, which is comparable to humans when they are teenagers. Hagrid also mentioned the Mandrakes having acne. Mandrakes are fully matured when they start moving into each others pots. When matured, Mandrakes can be cut up to serve as a prime ingredient for the [[Mandrake Restorative Draught]], which is used to cure those who have been [[Petrification|Petrified]].

A Mandrake's scream is very similar to (if not the same as) a [[banshee]]'s scream, which is also fatal.

A Mandrake's scream is very similar to (if not the same as) a [[banshee]]'s scream, which is also fatal.

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The [[Dugbog]]'s favourite food is Mandrakes, which leads to Mandrake-growers finding nothing but a bloody mess when pulling their plants out. [[Flesh-Eating Slug]]s are known to favour Mandrakes. In the 1992-1993 school year, [[Rubeus Hagrid]] bought [[Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent]] for use on Hogwarts' Mandrakes, which would later be used to cure the petrification of [[Colin Creevey]], [[Hermione Granger]], and others.

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The [[Dugbog]]'s favourite food is Mandrakes, which leads to Mandrake-growers finding nothing but a bloody mess when pulling their plants out. [[Flesh-Eating Slug]]s are known to favour Mandrakes.

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Their [[Mandrake leaf|leaves]] can be used in [[Potion]]s<ref name="GOF26">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'', Chapter 26 - (''The Second Task'')</ref>, additionally, the Mandrake forms an essential part of most [[antidote]]s.<ref name="CS6">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', Chapter 6 - (''Gilderoy Lockhart'')</ref>

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

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[[File:Sprout.JPG|thumb|250px|left|[[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout]] teaches her [[Second year]] [[Herbology]] students how to pot young Mandrakes.]]

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[[File:Sprout.JPG|thumb|left|220px|[[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout]] teaches her [[Second year]] [[Herbology]] students how to pot young Mandrakes.]]

The (European) Mandrake plant has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant and has a tradition associated with magical activities. It is a member of the nightshade family. It contains hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and mandragorin. Medically, it has been used as a pain killer and a sedative. It was used in ancient times for surgery. An overdose, though, can be fatal.

The (European) Mandrake plant has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant and has a tradition associated with magical activities. It is a member of the nightshade family. It contains hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and mandragorin. Medically, it has been used as a pain killer and a sedative. It was used in ancient times for surgery. An overdose, though, can be fatal.

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[[File:DracoBittenMandrake.gif|frame|[[Draco Malfoy]] bittenbyaMandrake during his second year.]]

Because of its roots' shapes resembling humans, it has been used in magical operations, and as a supposed aphrodisiac.{{Fact}} There are variations on the plant, ''Mandragora Offininarum'' being the most usual form, with the smaller ''Mandragora autumnalis'' having the same properties. Some folk traditions call the latter (''M. autumnalis'') variety as "Womandrake" in distinction to ''M. Officinarum'' as "Mandrake." A third variant, ''Mandragora turcomanica,'' is a nearly extinct and very rare variety, found mostly in Turkey and a few areas of Iran. ''M. turcomanica'' is distinguished from ''M. autumnalis'' by having larger fruit.{{Fact}}

Because of its roots' shapes resembling humans, it has been used in magical operations, and as a supposed aphrodisiac.{{Fact}} There are variations on the plant, ''Mandragora Offininarum'' being the most usual form, with the smaller ''Mandragora autumnalis'' having the same properties. Some folk traditions call the latter (''M. autumnalis'') variety as "Womandrake" in distinction to ''M. Officinarum'' as "Mandrake." A third variant, ''Mandragora turcomanica,'' is a nearly extinct and very rare variety, found mostly in Turkey and a few areas of Iran. ''M. turcomanica'' is distinguished from ''M. autumnalis'' by having larger fruit.{{Fact}}

[[File:CS C6.jpg|thumb|A Mandrake being pulled from its roots]]

[[File:CS C6.jpg|thumb|A Mandrake being pulled from its roots]]

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==Behind the scenes==

==Behind the scenes==

*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', mandrakes can be found throughout the castle and grounds and can be used to break glass objects. Also the player can make it sing as an extra (cheat code).

*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', mandrakes can be found throughout the castle and grounds and can be used to break glass objects. Also the player can make it sing as an extra (cheat code).

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*In the Game Boy Color version of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', the "Mandrake Root" item does not resemble the babies seen in other versions, and in fact looks more like a leaf than a root, suggesting the item is merely misnamed.

*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' {{Comment|Mentioned as mandrake leaves}}

*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''

*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''

*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]''

*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]''

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*''[[Pottermore]]''

*''[[Pottermore]]''

*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''

*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''

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==Notes and references==

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{{Reflist}}

{{Herbology}}

{{Herbology}}

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[[Category:Plants]]

[[Category:Plants]]

[[Category:Noise-making Plants]]

[[Category:Noise-making Plants]]

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[[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants]]

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[[Category:Mandrakes]]

Latest revision as of 19:37, November 4, 2014

Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in the latest update of Pottermore. As such, spoilers will be present within the article. Please take care when reading this article if you have not yet been through the latest update.

Mandrake

Species information

Roots

Brown, humanoid

Leaves

Green/brownish

Distinction(s)

Screams can be fatal if heard with the naked ear, although if not fully grown the scream merely renders a person unconscious

Though a plant, it appears almost as if a human baby with a leafing head

Usage

When matured, can be cut up to serve as a prime ingredient for the Mandrake Restorative Draught, which is to cure those who have been petrified.

A Mandrake, also known as Mandragora, is a plant which has a root that looks like a human (like a baby when the plant is young, but maturing as the plant grows). When mature, its cry can be fatal to any person who hears it.

Whenever unearthed, the root screams. The scream of a mature Mandrake when it is unearthed will kill any person who hears it, but a young Mandrake's screams will usually only knock a person out for several hours. When Hogwarts students study Mandrakes in Herbology class, Pomona Sprout had the students wear earmuffs to protect their ears from the Mandrake's cries.

Mandrakes not only resemble humans, but also have similar behaviours to them. In the 1992-1993 school year, the Mandrakes, at one point of time, became moody and secretive, which indicated that they were reaching adolescence. Later on, they threw a loud party, which is comparable to humans when they are teenagers. Hagrid also mentioned the Mandrakes having acne. Mandrakes are fully matured when they start moving into each others pots. When matured, Mandrakes can be cut up to serve as a prime ingredient for the Mandrake Restorative Draught, which is used to cure those who have been Petrified.

A Mandrake's scream is very similar to (if not the same as) a banshee's scream, which is also fatal.

The Dugbog's favourite food is Mandrakes, which leads to Mandrake-growers finding nothing but a bloody mess when pulling their plants out. Flesh-Eating Slugs are known to favour Mandrakes.

The (European) Mandrake plant has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant and has a tradition associated with magical activities. It is a member of the nightshade family. It contains hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and mandragorin. Medically, it has been used as a pain killer and a sedative. It was used in ancient times for surgery. An overdose, though, can be fatal.

Because of its roots' shapes resembling humans, it has been used in magical operations, and as a supposed aphrodisiac.[citation needed] There are variations on the plant, Mandragora Offininarum being the most usual form, with the smaller Mandragora autumnalis having the same properties. Some folk traditions call the latter (M. autumnalis) variety as "Womandrake" in distinction to M. Officinarum as "Mandrake." A third variant, Mandragora turcomanica, is a nearly extinct and very rare variety, found mostly in Turkey and a few areas of Iran. M. turcomanica is distinguished from M. autumnalis by having larger fruit.[citation needed]

A Mandrake being pulled from its roots

In the Western Hemisphere, another plant, Podophyllum petaltum, is called the American Mandrake. The American Mandrake is unrelated to the European variety, and has fewer medical applications. It, too, is poisonous.

In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, mandrakes can be found throughout the castle and grounds and can be used to break glass objects. Also the player can make it sing as an extra (cheat code).

In the Game Boy Color version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the "Mandrake Root" item does not resemble the babies seen in other versions, and in fact looks more like a leaf than a root, suggesting the item is merely misnamed.